U.S. states have a lot of work to do on energy policy
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance rates states on policies related to energy democracy and accountability, and with 26 receiving failing grades, this year’s scorecard suggests that states can do far better.
Gray skies over Californian solar
There may be a global solar boom but a drastic revision of California’s net metering program has ruptured the industry overnight and is affecting everyone from installers to financiers to makers of power electronics, as Tristan Rayner reports.
Policy recommendations to support U.S. rooftop solar installation
Rooftop solar has the technical potential to serve 45% of electricity demand, based on 2022 demand levels, said a report from Environment America. As of that year, it served about 1.5% of electricity consumed.
Sunrise brief: Massachusetts expands solar net metering, bucking a national trend
Also on the rise: Module prices steady as market mulls price hikes. Baltimore Gas and Electric installs battery storage system to manage winter peaks. And more.
Massachusetts expands solar net metering, bucking a national trend
Massachusetts expanded access to net metering, showing a commitment to distributed energy. The Department of Public Utilities expects to save ratepayers $10 million with the regulatory change.
Arizona approves “discriminatory” charge on rooftop solar customers
The Arizona Corporation Commission approved a request from utility APS to raise rates and add a punitive charge to rooftop solar customers.
California introduces bill to reevaluate rooftop solar net metering
Assemblymember Laura Friedman introduced a bill that would require the California Public Utilities Commission to consider the costs and benefits of rooftop solar and its non-energy benefits when designing net metering rates.
North Carolina appeals court weighs critical rooftop solar decision
Environmental advocates appealed a cut to rooftop solar generation exports, arguing that utility Duke Energy ignored the benefits of customer-sited solar in its internal analysis of net metering rates.
Sunrise brief: Super Bowl to be hosted in first 100% renewable energy NFL stadium
Also on the rise: Utah bill proposes rooftop solar net metering rate protection. Battery storage plus hydrogen can enable a reliable, cheap clean energy transition. And more.
Utah bill proposes rooftop solar net metering rate protection
In the wake of net metering cuts leading to an industrywide implosion in California, Utah regulators are proposing a law that would increase compensation for exporting rooftop solar generation.
